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lapousmor May 31, 2006

Ahhh!
Finally! I thought all hope was lost, but maybe not. 

I found a pleasant letter in my mailbox, for change.
As some of you may already know i have applied for many Lecturer positions in French universities and for two Researcher positions in France too. So far I got only negative answers: all negative for Lecturer positions exept four who never answered (rats!!!! why was I asked to add an envelop with stamp and my home address, I wonder!!!  ), and negative answer too for the Researcher position in French Guiana (that one made me feel very bad because I did prepare my application with all my heart and beleived so much in it!).

And the answer for the other Researcher position arrived today: I passed the first step and have to go twice to Paris for a written exam (4 hours) and for an spoken exam two weeks after (35 min): this won't be like a classical interview but I will be asked to develop a particular subject. Very scholar competition. We are given marks for each step but I think we won't have an opportunity to be told our marks, though.

So now I am getting very stressed. I did not put much hope in that position because I already visited the lab and the director of the research project and he told me that three people from his lab applied for it too. In addition, this time it does not concern pathogenic bacteria or fungi but nematodes (i mostly worked on bacteria and a little bit on fungi). These microscopic worms are very naughty too, though. The hosting lab wants someone who will become a specialist in nematode identification and behaviours. I have never studied nematodes, but I am mad enough to be loving spending hours on a microscope!!! This position will need hours spent on binoculars and microscope! So what else to ask for???

So I have got a few days to do some bibliography on the subject to prepare the exams. I HATE EXAMS! But I have no choice if I want that job.

So my dear friends, I will need all possible support and good vibes because chance has not been very present for me these last two years.
This may be my last chance to do the job of my dreams (I mean Researcher, whatever the subject as long as it is related to my formation).
Who would employ a Scientist who has been unememployed for two years then? That's why I may not get another chance.

I began a magnesium cure to avoid being too stressed (I know me well enough!) and to help me switching on again my Scientific hard drive (brain of course!).

Finger crossed, luck will help me!

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

millie May 31, 2006

I'm wishing you the best.  I know it is easy to say, but "you must stay calm".  You won't being doing yourself any good if you get all stressed out.  So take a few minutes to relax and have a bite of chocolate.

WildThyme May 31, 2006

I'm crossing my fingers for you Sophie!!!!!   :pray:  :hug:  :hug:

Wow, nematodes.... sounds creepy crawly... but hey, they can't be too scarey if they can fit under a microscope! 

BEST of Luck!!!!!  I'll be routing for ya!

Kim Basta
Wild tHyme Originals

kathytaylor May 31, 2006

We will ofcourse be pulling for you to do well on all of the exams and  to get this position.  :hug:  good luck, study hard, and don't stress to bad.

Tracy May 31, 2006

  Yeah Sophie!!  Sending good vibes and lots of well wishes from the USA!!  I'll keep all available fingers and toes crossed for you too!

Nematodes......sounds cool!!

:hug:
Tracy

Aleta - The Silly Bear May 31, 2006

It's a positive step in the right direction!!  Good for you!!         Sending lots of good vibes and a pinch of good luck too..    

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Marion May 31, 2006

I send you all the warm energy possible ! Best of luck, dear Sophie ! :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

TamiL May 31, 2006

Hope everything works out the way you want it to!

Acipenser May 31, 2006

Good luck Sophie! I'll try to chat with you.

Another word for nematodes is roundworms. If anyone wants to know more, here's a link to the museum I work at http://tinyurl.com/qa8gz (taking every opportunity to promote the museum     :crackup: )

edie May 31, 2006

Sending lots of luck and best wishes to you Sophie - I'm so impressed, I didn't know that you are a research scientist!!! I hope everything works out the way you want it!
Bear hugs, Edie

lapousmor May 31, 2006

Thanks to all of you!

Edie: Actually, I look more like a job researcher than a researcher in plant pathology! And I may have cought the virus of "job lack"! that's a very dangerous pathogen and it spreads very fast among the new Doctors in biology. Many people leave France after they got their PhD to go to USA because there are so few job opportunities for Scientists!!! That's really a shame.

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

thumperantiques May 31, 2006

Hi Sophie,
     I have my fingers crossed for you!  I hope everything works out the way you want.  I am sending big hugs and will keep you in my thoughts.  Good luck!

                                                  hugs,

                                                  Brenda

Stellajella May 31, 2006

Sophie,
I wish you bets of luck with your nomads...oops...your nematodes
I keep my fingers crossed!
BONNE CHANCE  :hug:

Gaby

gotobedbears May 31, 2006

Bon Chance my friend!

 

Penny      :hug:

Dilu May 31, 2006

[size=20]Oh Darling Sophie[/size]

I have been reading online how hard things are in Europe for the younger folks who have graduated and earned advanced degrees-that the jobs are scarce and it is so very hard for them

I am so sorry how hard things have gotten.....and so many younger folks are disenfranchised....and don't try anymore and many didn't even try for advanced degrees....

[size=20]Honey my fingers and toes and eyes are crossed for you and my prayers and best wishes go with you[/size]

All the gollies are too

Do your homework and don't get discouraged, as hard as that can be

WE all believe in you and we know that you will succeed.....when the right position opens up...

:hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

see?  The eyes are crossed!

I Love Teddies May 31, 2006

My fingers are crossed for you.  I hope everything works out.   :hug:

Carolyn Green May 31, 2006

Wishing you all the luck in the world Sophie! I really hope that everything
will go well for you with the exams and that you get the job.

Bear hugs
Carolyn

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorJun 1, 2006

Good, good, good luck, Sophie!  My very best wishes and vibes heading your way, my friend!!

melissa Jun 1, 2006

Sophie

Best of luck with your job application.  It sounds very arduous.  Take good care of yourself and try not to stress too much.  I used to share a house with a plant pathologist - she studied tiny flying things  that were too small to see with the naked eye!  I know from her how difficult the job market is and am sending good thoughts your way.

:dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

Mitch2052 Jun 1, 2006

Dear sophie,
Good luck with your interview and exams and best wishes for a great result.
   
Cheers Susan

lapousmor Jun 1, 2006

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

PenPen! So great this little sample of The Office! I discovered The Office while in England, thanks to my housemates who bought the DVDs. So funny!

They decided to mahe a similar story in France to pass on TV: same kind of scheme as The Office with different actors and I guess more French behaviour.

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

PS: I will get reduced prices for the train if I ask to my job center, as this travel concerns my job search.
I should pay 50 euros for a return to Paris. I first thught that 50 euros would be more than the normal price, but it's finally lower, because for the 13th of July I will have to leave Le Mans when there is a lot of trafic, and same the 27th of june when i will leave Paris. When there is a lot of trafic, prices are about twice higher than the rest of the day!!!!

Gail Jun 2, 2006

Hi Sophie
I can empathize with what you are going through as my D-I-L is in the same position. Interesting that the job entails studying nematodes Here where I live there has just been enacted a complete ban on the use of pesticides for lawns .Needless to say the grubs are having a hay day as well as the skunks who love to dig up your lawn to get the grubs. The nematodes have been said to be an alternative to the insecticides
Best of luck with the job search
Hugs
Gail

Jellybelly Bears Jun 2, 2006

Sophie I am so pleased for you!!  I wish you all the luck and fingers crossed that you get this position    It sounds so interesting, science is so fascinating!  It will be so wonderful when you are (coz I'm so sure you will get it )living your dream!!
big good luck hugs :hug:  :hug:
Sarah

DebbieD Jun 2, 2006

Here where I live there has just been enacted a complete ban on the use of pesticides for lawns .Needless to say the grubs are having a hay day

......get some diatomaceous earth to sprinkle where you're having your grub troubles.... Its not a pesticide in a chemical sense of the word...actually good for the soil, and kills the grubs by mechanical means....

Sophie, I've got everything so tightly crossed for you!!!!   :hug:   Best wishes that you can finally get your foot in the door for your dream career     I know you're not overly keen on nematodes, but this could be the step that leads to other, greater things!   :hug:

AnnG Jun 4, 2006

nematodes, great little grub killers right, these grubs grow into June bugs? the grubs are quite a problem in Ottawa, especially during the dry summer months. Go for it kid, all the best
Ann